Open AccessCougar Readers: Piloting a Library-Based Intervention for Struggling Readers
Author(s) -
Elizabeth Foster,
Nancy Flanagan Knapp
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
school libraries worldwide
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2816-3788
pISSN - 1023-9391
DOI - 10.29173/slw6854
Subject(s) - reading (process) , intervention (counseling) , psychology , school library , test (biology) , medical education , apprenticeship , mathematics education , pedagogy , medicine , library science , computer science , paleontology , linguistics , philosophy , psychiatry , political science , law , biology
A school librarian helped struggling third-grade readers improve their test scores and learn to enjoy reading by implementing the Reading Apprenticeship intervention at her isolated rural school. She recruited twenty-one local adult volunteers to read with student partners in the school library twice a week for twelve weeks. Participants were enthusiastic, averaging more than 21 completed sessions. From pre- to post- test, students gained an average of 24.8 WPM on the DIBELS (138% of expected gain) and 9.1 months on the STAR (303% of expected gain). Teachers' written observations also noted associated positive changes in classroom reading skills and behaviors. Recommendations for use of this intervention by other school librarians are included.